I am writing in response to our ongoing conversations regarding the approval of the Bureau of Indian Education's accountability plan under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). I appreciate the Bureau of Indian Education's efforts to meet the Title I requirements and your responsiveness to making changes as a result of the external peer review of the Bureau of Indian Education's accountability plan. In consideration of these changes, the Bureau of Indian Education's accountability plan is fully approved and will be posted on the Department's website.

As required by section 1111(b)(2) of Title I, the Bureau of Indian Education must implement its accountability plan to identify schools and school districts in need of improvement and to implement section 1116 of Title I. If, over time, the Bureau of Indian Education makes changes to its approved accountability plan, you must submit information about those changes to the Department for approval, as required by section 1111(f)(2) of Title I.

Please also be aware that approval of the Bureau of Indian Education's accountability plan for Title I does not indicate that the plan complies with Federal civil rights requirements, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

I am confident that the Bureau of Indian Education will continue to advance its efforts to hold bureau-funded schools accountable for the achievement of all students. I wish you well in your efforts to leave no child behind.